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BARRIE - On Aug. 6, a severely burned baby raccoon was discovered near Huronia North Park. The three- to four-month-old animal had severe burns on one side of her body and on her face, arms, and stomach, and it's believed that a flammable liquid had been thrown on her. Named Phoenix Rose by her caregivers, she was recovering from her injuries at a wildlife rehab center but died suddenly on Sept. 7.

The Barrie Police Service is investigating, but so far has no suspects in this case, which is why PETA is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction on cruelty charges of the person or persons responsible for this crime.

"Somebody out there tried to burn this baby raccoon alive, leaving her with severe burns over most of her body, and she never recovered," says PETA Vice President Colleen O'Brien. "PETA urges anyone with information about this case to come forward immediately so that whoever tortured this animal can be held accountable and stopped from hurting anyone else."

PETA – whose motto reads, in part, that "animals are not ours to abuse in any way" – notes that, according to leading mental-health professionals and law-enforcement agencies, perpetrators of violent acts against animals are often repeat offenders who pose a serious threat to the community at large.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or leave an anonymous tip online at tipsoft.com.

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